Material iron



L. L. STANLEY Oct. 1, 1968 MATERIAL IRON Filed Jan. '19, 1966 Louie L .Sfanley INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,403,463 MATERIAL IRON Louie L. Stanley, 272 Hammond Drive, Miami Springs, Fla. 33166 Filed Jan. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 521,670

- 8 Claims. (Cl. 38--77) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An iron including an elongated semicylindrical ironing block having a generally conical leading end. The ironing block includes an internal enlarged steam-generating chamber with vapor discharging holes extending both upwardly through the arcuate upper portion thereof and downwardly through the flat base portion. Valve means enable a selective discharge of steam generated in the chamber through either set of holes. A liquid inlet is provided into the chamber with the chamber being filled with a suitable heat-transferring substance.

The instant invention is generally concerned with steam generating electric irons and more particularly relates to an iron which, in addition to being usable in the manner of a conventional iron for fiatwork, also is uniquely adapted for use in conjunction with delicate fabrics and materials having a nap-like surface, such as for example velvet.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide an iron which incorporates characteristics uniquely adapting it for use with materials such as velvet or the like in a manner whereby the fabric can be pressed through a combined application of heat and steam without the application of pressure thereon and in a manner so as to fluff and raise the nap so as to enhance the appearance of the material.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also an object of the instant invention to provide an iron which incorporates a flat ironing surface for use in the manner of a conventional iron wherein pressure is to be applied to the material being ironed, in addition to heat, either with or without a simultaneous application of steam.

Further, an important object of the instant invention resides in the provision of an elongated ironing block wherein all the surfaces thereof, including most particularly the flat bottom and arcuate top, are heated, with the steam when discharged being selectively discharged either through the bottom or the top of the ironing block.

Further, it is a significant object of the instant invention to provide an iron which is portable in nature and easily manipulated, the iron itself internally generating the steam.

Likewise, it is an object of the instant invention to provide an iron which is of a relatively simple though highly unique nature capable of efliciently operating in a manner which should ensure troublefree operation and no maintenance problems.

Basically, in achieving the above objects, the iron of the instant invention includes an elongated semicylindrical ironing block having a generally conical leading end which, in addition to enabling the introduction of the iron into small areas, also facilitates the positioning of the iron beneath certain fabrics, such as velvet or the like, which are to ride over the arcuate upper surface of the ironing block so as to be subjected to both heat and steam, with no pressure being applied directly thereto. The ironing block itself is to have an enlarged steam generating chamber defined therein with vapor discharging outletsor holes extending both upwardly through the arcuate upper portion of the ironing block and down- 3,403,463 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 wardly through the fiat base portion of the ironing block for a selective discharge of the vapor through one or the other of these sets of holes or outlets. A second chamber is defined rearwardly of the steamgenerating chamber with this second chamber including the various controls such as the heat control and the valve switch for directing the steam generated in the chamber. Water is introduced into the steam chamber through a selectively closable water port with the steam generating chamber itself being hollow and filled with a suitable noncorrosive heat transferring substance, such as copper or brass pads, and having an elongated heating elementtherein which operates so as to vaporize the introduced water and heat the entire surface of the ironing block through a transfer of the heat by means of the heat transferring pads or. the like. Finally, the ironing block is provided with an elongated handle fixed on the rear end thereof and extending longitudinally therefrom with the power cord extending through the handle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully herein-after described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the iron comprising the instant invention; I

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially upon the plane passing along the section line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially upon the plane passing along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the valve assembly; and

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating the valve in its closed position.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the iron comprising the present invention. This iron, relatively narrow and elongated in nature, includes an elongated generally semi-cylindical heat transferring metal iron block 12 and an elongated non-heat-conducting handle 14 fixed to the rear end of the ironing block 12 and extending rearwardly therefrom.

The ironing block 12 itself is hollow in nature throughout the full length thereof and has a forward watertight steam generating chamber 16 and a rear control chamber 18 defined therein by a transversely positioned bulkhead or wall 20. The external configuration of the ironing block 12 includes a flat base or bottom surface 22 extending the full length thereof from the leading end, and a transversely arcuate upper surface 24 arcing substantially continuously bet-ween the opposite edges of the fiat base 22. The leading end 26 of the ironing block 12 is slightly conical in shape with the arcuate upper surface 24 converging downwardly toward the forward end of the base 22 which in itself defines a soft point formed by arcuately converging the forward portions of the side edges of the base 22. The converging leading end 26 of the ironing block v12 includes, on opposite sides thereof, a pair of recesses 28 defined therein so as to .accommodate buttons when ironing thereabout, particularly when utilizing the Hat base 22 somewhat in the manner of a conventional iron.

In order to allow for the escape of steam frornlhe ironing block .12 selectively upward through the arcuate top 24 of the iron or downward through the flat base 22 of the iron, upper and lower aligned sets of discharge holes 30 and 32 are provided adjacent the for- 3 ward portion of the ironing block 12 and generally to the rear of the converging leading end 26. The upper and lower sets of vapor discharging holes 30 and 32 communicate with the interior of a vertically extending hollow cylindrical tube or pipe 34 which in turn has a laterally directed hole 36 opening to the interior of the chamber 16. The tube or pipe 34 is, of course, of a size so as to surround all of the holes in each set 30 and 32 which in turn are concentrated substantially along the longitudinal axis of the ironing block 12. The pipe 34, aside from the hole 36, is sealed from the surrounding portion of the chamber 16 and has a vertically elongated valve block 38 fixed therein. The valve block 38 includes a longitudinally extending steam or vapor discharge passage 40 completely therethrough, a transverse inlet passage 42 aligned with the pipe aperture 36, and a seating bore 44 transversely through the valve block 38 at the same height as and at right angles to the aperture 36. This seating bore 44 snugly and rotatably receives a cylindrical valve 46 which seats in the bore 44 and projects laterally through a second lateral opening defined-in the pipe 34, this projection of the valve 46 through the pipe being effected in a substantially watertight manner while still allowing for the desired rotation of the valve 46.

As will be best appreciated from FIGURES 4 and 6, the valve 46 itself includes a right angular passage 48. This passage 48 is orientated in a manner whereby, through a rotation of the valve 46, the interior of the steam producing chamber 16 can be communicated with either the upper set of steam discharging openings 30, through the upper portion of the valve block passage 40, or with the lower set of steam discharging holes 32 through the lower portion of the valve block passage 40. By the same token, referring specifically to FIGURE 6, it will be noted that the valve 46 can be positioned at an intermediate location whereby neither end of the right angular valve passage 48- communicates with the valve block passage 42, thereby obviously precluding the discharge of steam from the chamber 16. The valve block 38 itself has the upper and lower ends thereof positioned inward of the corresponding sets of holes so as to define a slightly enlarged area, at each end of the hollow pipe 34, which in turn provides a greater discharge area for the steam than would be possible were the valve block to extend the full height of the pipe 34.

The rotation of the valve 46 is controlled through an elongated stem 50 which extends longitudinally therefrom through the chamber defining bulkhead or wall 20 into the control chamber 18 where it is angularly bent so as to project through a recessed arcuate slot 52 in the upper surface 24 of the ironing block 12 at which point it has a flat control button 54 fixed thereto and seated within the recessed portion surrounding the slots 52 so as to have the upper surface thereof, which may be serrated, substantially flush with the upper surface 24 of the ironing block 12 so as to not interfere or catch on any material under which the ironing block 12 might be introduced. In order to insure a sealing of the wall 20 about the stem or rod 50, a sealing washer 55 is biased thereagainst by an expanded coiled compression spring 56 having one end thereof engaged against the inner face of the washer 55 and the opposite end thereof engaged against a collar 58' fixed to the rod.

'The heat used to heat the ironing block .12 and generate the stem is produced by means of an elongated heating element 60 positioned within the lower portion of the chamber 16, and preferably encircling a major portion thereof in spaced relation above the lower wall 22 of the chamber 16. The heating element 60 has a suitable power cord 62 communicated therewith in a suitable manner through a combination switch and thermostat element 64 located rearward of the valve control button 54 and similarly having a recessed switch 66 so as not to interfere with the smooth nature of the upper surface 24. This element 64 is preferably located Within the control chamber 18 and can communicate with the chamber 16 through an elongated probe '68 extending through the bulkhead 20'.

It is one of the significant intentions of the instant invention to heat the entire surface of the ironing block 12, ineluding both the flat base 22 and the arcuate upper surface 24, as well as the leading end 26. As such, the entire interior of the chamber 16 is filled with a suitable heat transferring noncorrosive substance 70 such as brass or copper wool pads, balls, or the like whereby the heat generated by the heating element 60 will, through the heat transferring material 70, effectively produce the desired heating of all surfaces of the ironing block 12. The material 70 is to be such so as to allow for the introduction of a substantial amount of water within the chamber 16 through a suitably recessed and releasably capped water hole 72 communicating with the interior of the chamber 16 just forward of the wall 20. The selectively scalable water hole cap 74 will also have the top thereof flush or substantially flush with the upper surface 24 of the ironing block 12 so as to not interfere with any material being pressed or steamed. As will be appreciated, substantially the entire chamber 16 can be filled with water for subsequent vaporization by means of the heating element 60, thereby providing for an extremely long steaming time between refills. Incidentally, while not illustrated, it is also contemplated that a suitable pressure release be provided for the chamber 16 so as to prevent any excess buildup of pressure therein, especially when the valve unit is closed so as to prevent the discharge of the steam heat either upwardly or downwardly through the sets of discharging holes 30 and 32.

With specific reference to the handle 14-, it should be appreciated that this handle is made of a suitable insulating material, preferably high impact plastic, with the power cord 62 extending therethrough and therebeyond for selective engagement within a suitable electrical receptacle. The handle 14 is provided with a flat lower surface 76 which provides a substantially planar continuation of the flat lower surface 22 of the ironing block 12, and a generally arcuate upper surface 78 shaped so as to conform to the hand of the user, this shape including a raised central portion received within the palm of the hand and a raised fiange-like forward portion defining an abutment for the forward portion of the hand so as to prevent any accidental movement of the hand onto the ironing block 12, while still enabling a simple manipulation of the valve control button 54 and the switch '66 just forward thereof.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a highly novel iron has been defined, this iron being adapted so as to handle all types of material, including conventional flatwork, delicate fabrics and mapped material such as velvet. In order to accommodate flatwork the elongated ironing block of the instant invention is provided with a full length flat surface while a polished metal smooth arcuate surface is provided for introduction into or beneath fabrics such as velvet or the like whereby both heat and steam can be utilized to achieve a smoothing or pressing of the material in conjunction with a flutfing action such as would insure a maintaining of the desired appearance of the material. This provision of what amounts to dual ironing surfaces is made possible through the provision of a completely hollow interior throughout the ironing portion of the ironing block and filling this portion with a suitable heat conducitng material capable of transferring the heat from the elongated internally received heating element to all surfaces of the ironing block, the heat transferring material itself being such so as to also enable the accommodation of a substantial amount of water within the ironing block for vaporization and selective steam-like discharge either upwardly through the arcuate'delicate material accommodating surface or downwardly through the flat ironing surface. The discharge of steam is controlled through a valve unit which, in addition to selectively discharging the steam either upwardly or downwardly, can be closed so as to prevent any discharge of steam. Likewise, while the iron is particularly adapted for use as a steam iron, it will be recognized that it can also be utilized as a dry iron with no water being introduced into the steam producing chamber.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A material iron comprising an elongated generally semicyclindrical ironing block, a handle fixed to one end of said block and projecting generally longitudinally therefrom, means for providing vaporized liquid within said ironing block, first and second spaced vapor discharge means in said ironing block, and means for selectively enabling discharge of vapor through either said first discharge means or said second discharge means, said ironing block including a generally rounded leading end, a fiat base along at least a major portion of the length thereof extending rearward from the leading end, and a substantially arcuate upper surface, said first vapor discharge means including at least one discharge hole through said flat base, said second vapor discharge means including at least one discharge hole through said arcuate upper surface in opposed relation to said first discharge means hole.

2. The iron of claim 1 including a hollow chamber defined within said ironing block, said first and second discharge means communicating said chamber with the exterior of the ironing block, said means for selectively enabling a discharge of vapor comprising movable valve means for selectively preventing communication between the opposed first and second discharge means and the chamber.

3. The iron of claim 2 wherein said means for providing vaporized liquid within said block includes a heating element located within said hollow chamber, and a selectively sealable liquid inlet into said chamber.

4. The iron of claim 3 including water-accommodating heat-transferring material filling said chamber and effecting an even transfer of heat from the heating element toboth the flat base and the substantially arcuate upper surface.

5. The iron of claim 4 wherein said valve means includes a valve body within said chamber extending be tween said first and second discharge means, said valve body including a longitudinal passage therethrough, the opposite ends of which are directed toward the opposed discharge means, a lateral passage in said body communicating the longitudinal passage with the interior of the chamber, and a valve rotatably received within said body laterally of said longitudinal passage, said valve selectively sealing said lateral passage from the longiutdinal passage or communicating the lateral passage with one of the other of the opposite ends of the longitudinal passage.

6. The iron of claim 5 including a second smaller chamber defined in said ironing block rearward of said first mentioned chamber and separated therefrom by a watertight Wall, control means for said heating element housed within said second chamber, said control means including switch means exposed through and substantially flush with the upper surface, and a valve stem engaged with said valve and projecting longitudinally into said second chamber, said valve stem, within said second chamber, being laterally directed toward said upper surface and having a control button thereon exposed through and substantially flush with said upper surface.

7. A material iron comprising an elongated generally semicylindrieal ironing block, a handle fixed to one end of said block and projecting generally longitudinally therefrom, means for providing vaporized liquid within said ironing block, first and second spaced vapor discharge means in said ironing block, and means for selectively enabling discharge of vapor through either said first discharge means or said second discharge means, and a hollow chamber defined within said ironing block, said first and second discharge means communicating said chamber with the exterior of the ironing block, said means for selectively enabling a discharge of vapor comprising movable valve means for selectively preventing communication between the opposed first and second discharge means and the chamber, said means for providing vaporized liquid within said block including a heating element located Within said hollow chamber, and a selectively sealable liquid inlet into said chamber.

8. The iron of claim 1 including water-accommodating heat-transferring material filling said chamber and effecting an even transfer of heat from the heating element to the chamber defining surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,519 5/1920 Baitory 3877 X 2,384,644 9/1945 Schreyer 3877 X 2,660,818 12/ 1953 Gross 38-77 X 3,158,891 12/1964 Long 3877 X 3,170,257 2/ 1965 Dziadulonis et al 3877 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

